Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Roundtable: What They Become

Skye finally meets her father and learns part of her story, the part pertaining to her mother’s death. Her father got away during the chaos that ensued, but something tells me we haven’t seen the last of him. Skye finally faced her destiny, and the results of that moment proved to be costly for one member of S.H.I.E.L.D.

1. The long anticipated reunion of Skye (aka Daisy) and her father Cal finally happened. What were your thoughts or reactions to the event? Did it live up to your expectations?

Liz: I don’t think I had any expectations about this meeting. I was looking forward to it though, mainly because I knew we’d probably finally get Skye’s mother’s background, and what really happened the day Skye was taken by SHIELD. There is still a question of what exactly her mother was. Was she alien? Cal only said she was ‘special’, unless I missed something more. It was a good scene, and I think Skye reacted the only way she could. She didn’t really have much time to decide what to feel about her father. One minute he’s a demon from hell, the next he’s this broken man who could only think of revenge and keeping the only thing he loved in all the world safe.

Louise: It was rather a letdown on an emotional level. Mostly because Cal was like, “hey honey here’s all this back story about you” and Skye just sort of stood there and looked confused (rightly so). It was more like a speech of evil from the bad guys in Leverage than a real meeting.

Jan: I’m not sure it was as big an event as I had imagined it would be, but I loved it. Kyle’s performance was incredible. Loved the moment where he awkwardly reached out to give Skye a fatherly pat on the shoulder. The events Whitehall put in motion have driven him to madness, but deep inside all he really wants is to be there for his daughter. I hope he returns later in the season and we get the rest of the story of what happened to Skye after her mother was taken.

2. Coulson managed to kill bad-guy Whitehall, much to Cal’s eternal anger and frustration. Were you surprised to see such an important villain taken down seemingly so early?

Liz: Not surprised at how soon he was taken out, only surprised and a little let down that it wasn’t Cal who got to do it. I needed to see Whitehall die the way Cal might have done it. Piece by piece.

Louise: Whitehall’s death didn’t feel that cheap (or early) because there were much more important things to deal with. Though I’m not sure if I want to buy that Whitehall’s actually dead since he took apart Skye’s mom all the time and got her blood at some point. Can’t he live forever?

Jan: I was surprised. The fountain of youth is no match for a gun, I suppose, but it all seemed to happen too quickly and easily to me. Then again, if he hadn’t been killed, Skye’s dad wouldn’t have made his escape…he would never have left while Whitehall was still alive.

3. Cal told Skye that everyone but him would be afraid of her after the “change” occurred. Reina appeared to take the form of some type of animal/monster, but Skye (at least by appearance) looked unchanged. Do you think she will have some new abilities or perhaps even gain powers after this?

Liz: Definitely! I cannot wait to see what she has become and what abilities she will have. It will also be interesting if she goes to her father, leaves SHIELD, or finds a way to bring Coulson and Cal together because she loves them both, I think.

Louise: She’s got to have something different about her now, but what they are, I can’t even begin to guess. I hope it’s powers of a kind, because since she was moving away from hacking, I’d like to have it be for a reason.

Jan: Oh, gosh I hope so. Skye certainly looked the part of a superhero as she literally came out of her shell. I have no idea what may have changed about her, but it kills me that we have to wait until March to find out!

4. The good news is it appears Mac was returned once all was said and done and his purpose was served. Tripp was lost to us instead. Were you shocked by this outcome?

Liz: Yes! I’m so, so very sad and sorry that Tripp died. I suppose I should have seen it coming; he really didn’t have much of a role this season. But I was hoping that he’d stay around because he was so likeable and he was a direct link to Captain America’s Howling Commandos.

Louise: YES! I had a huge freakout last night with another friend on twitter with plenty of caps-lock and rage. It’s more that we had more back story on Tripp and it seemed horrible to have that happen whereas I didn’t know Mac as well and it wouldn’t have mattered (which is I guess the point of any show death – kill your darlings).

Jan: I did not expect to lose Tripp. In fact, right up until the moment he started disintegrating I didn’t think it would happen. Glad to have Mac back, but I’m going to miss Tripp.

5. Who was the MVP of “What They Become”?

Liz: I think Skye this week. This episode was all for her. Learning her real name, handling the truth about her mother and why her father went killer crazy, turning on Ward and shooting him down (what?!) and ultimately her transformation.

Louise: Skye – that transformation was awesome.

Jan: Skye! Loved everything she said and did this entire episode, especially her gunning Ward down. I look forward to seeing if his little crush on her continues after that.

6. What was your favorite scene of this episode?

Liz: No doubt, when Skye breaks out of her rocky mold. What a perfect image! Loved it!

Louise: Fitzsimmons actually being like they were in S1 as they figured out how to go about getting into the temple.

Jan: There were a number of them I loved, but I’m going to go with Skye shooting Ward and telling him he taught her not to turn her back on the enemy. I didn’t expect it, and it appeared Ward didn’t either.

This episode was the winter finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The show will return to ABC in March.